Foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member

ABSTRACT

A foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member includes a frame, a seamless single-piece canopy member, and a plurality of connecting pieces. The frame has a shaft, a runner, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of ribs. The runner is slidably disposed on the shaft. One end of each of the ribs is radially connected to the distal end of the shaft. A first rod of the rib has at least one fixing hole. One end of each of the stretchers is together connected to the runner, and the other end of each of the stretchers is connected to the first rods respectively. The seamless single-piece canopy member is integrally formed without seams, disposed on the ribs, and connected thereto via the connecting pieces through the inside of the seamless single-piece canopy member and the fixing hole of the first rod; therefore it can protect against the penetration of rain reliably.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

This is the Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/461,271, filed on Aug. 6, 2009, currently pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The instant disclosure relates to an umbrella, and more particularly toa foldable umbrella having a seamless single-piece fabric.

2. Description of Related Art

For centuries, umbrellas are utilized as weather protection tools toprovide portable shelter against rain and sunlight alike. However, thiswell-familiarized and seemingly trivial device possesses some structuraldraw-backs.

As FIGS. 1 to 3 shown, a conventional umbrella includes a canopy member1 a made of a plurality of jointly seamed canopy members, a frame 2 a,and a plurality of connecting pieces 3 a. The frame 2 a comprises aplurality of radially arranged foldable ribs 21 a. The canopy member lais stitched by several pieces of gores to be laid between the ribs 21 aand cover the whole ribs 21 a of the frame 2 a. For example, the canopymember 1 has a first piece 11 a and a second piece 12 a, which have astitched portion 13 a stitched on the edges thereof. The connectingpiece 3 a is through the stitched portion 13 a and the rib 21 a forfixing the canopy member 1 on the frame 2 a. Via the above arrangement,an umbrella is obtained, whereby a user can shelter from sun and rain.

However, the canopy member of the conventional umbrella is made by meansof stitching pieces of gores to the ribs. Such a stitching connectionhas some drawbacks as follow

(I) The stitching seams on the canopy member may be penetrated by water,so that the umbrella cannot provide an optimal effect of sheltering fromrain.

(II) Since the canopy member is made by stitching pieces of gores, themanufacturer cannot print continuous patterns on the canopy member andthus the aesthetic feeling thereof is deteriorated.

Consequently, because of the above limitation resulting from thetechnical design of prior art, the inventor strives via real worldexperience and academic research to develop the instant disclosure,which can effectively improve the limitations described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the instant disclosure is to provide an umbrella withseamless single-piece canopy member, whereby the penetration of rain canbe prevented reliably. Furthermore, it allows the manufacture to printcontinuous patterns on the canopy member without generatingdiscontinuous patterns.

In order to achieve the above objects, the instant disclosure provides afoldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member, whichcomprises: a frame having a shaft, a runner, a plurality of stretchersand a plurality of ribs, the runner being slidably disposed on theshaft, the ribs each having a first rod, a second rod, and a third rod.Therein, the first rod having a fixing hole, one end of the first rodbeing connected to the distal end of the shaft, one end of the secondrod being pivotally connected to the other end of the first rod, theother end of the second rod being pivotally connected to one end of thethird rod, one end of each of the stretchers being together connected tothe runner, and the other ends of the stretchers being connected to thefirst rods respectively. Further more there is a seamless single-piececanopy member integrally formed and laid on the ribs, wherein theseamless single-piece canopy member has an inside surface, an outsidesurface, and a plurality of fixing members bonding to the insidesurface; and a plurality of connecting pieces, both ends of eachconnecting piece being connected to each of the fixing member and thefixing hole of each first rod respectively.

The instant disclosure has advantageous features as follows. Theseamless single-piece canopy member is disposed on the ribs andconnected thereto by means of the connecting pieces. Since the seamlesssingle-piece canopy member is integrally formed without any seams, itcan protect against the penetration of rain reliably. Furthermore, themanufacturer can print arbitrary patterns on the external surface of theseamless single-piece canopy member, and the problem occurred in acanopy member that the patterns are not continuous due to the seams canbe overcome.

When the foldable umbrella is opened or folded, the connecting piecesare connected to the seamless single-piece canopy member firmly, so thatthe seamless single-piece canopy member can be unfolded or foldedtogether with the ribs reliably. The canopy member does not collapseloosely or become disordered. Thus, it is convenient for a user to useor fold.

In order to further understand the characteristics and technicalcontents of the instant disclosure, a detailed description relatingthereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.However, the drawings are illustrative only, but not used to limit thescope of the instant disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the related art;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the related art;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view from A-A of FIG. 2 showing the related art;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connecting piece ofthe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view from B-B of FIG. 5 showing the connectingpiece of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the folded state of thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connecting piece ofthe second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connecting piece ofthe third embodiment according to the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 4 to 9. The instant disclosure provides a foldableumbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member, which comprises aframe 1, a seamless single-piece canopy member 2, and a plurality ofconnecting pieces 3.

Please refer to FIGS. 4 to 7, which show the first embodiment of theinstant disclosure. The frame 1 comprises a shaft 11, a runner 12, aplurality of stretchers 13, a plurality of ribs 14, and a handle 15.

The shaft 11, the stretchers 13, and the ribs 14 are made of light metalmaterial. One end of each of the ribs 14 is together connected to oneend of the shaft 11. Via this arrangement, the ribs 14 are radiallyconnected to the shaft 11. The ribs 14 each comprise a first rod 141, asecond rod 142, and a third rod 143. The first rid 141 has a fixing hole1411. The fixing hole 1411 is formed for the penetration of the firstrod 141. One end of the first rod 141 is connected to the distal end ofthe shaft 11. One end of the second rod 142 is pivotally connected tothe other end of the first rod 141. The other end of the second rod 142is pivotally connected to one end of the third rod 143. The runner 12 isslidably disposed on the shaft 11. One end of each of the stretchers 13is together connected to the outer peripheral surface of the runner 12.The other end of each of the stretchers 13 is connected to the firstrods 141 of the ribs 14 respectively.

The handle 15 is provided on the other end of the shaft 11, so that auser can grip the handle 15. Since the handle is well-known, thedescription thereof is omitted herein.

The seamless single-piece canopy member 2 is formed integrally withoutstitching and made from water-proof polymeric materials, cottons, or TC(fabric with cotton and cotton and polyester mixture). The seamlesssingle-piece canopy member 2 is laid on the ribs 14 directly without anystitching. The seamless single-piece canopy member 2 has an insidesurface 22, an outside surface 23, and a plurality of fixing members 21that are bonded to the inside surface 22 of the seamless single-piececanopy member 2 to correspond to the fixing holes 1411 respectively.Each of the fixing members 21 is a small piece of cloth connected to theinside surface 22 of the seamless single-piece canopy member 2 by meansof adhesive so as to correspond to the fixing hole 1411.

In the first embodiment, the connecting piece 3 is a thread penetratingthe fixing hole 1411 of the first rod 141 to be connected to the fixingmember 21. In this way, the seamless single-piece canopy member 2 can belaid on the ribs 14 firmly. When the runner 12 slides on the shaft 11,it will drive the stretchers 13 and the ribs 14 to move, so that theseamless single-piece canopy member 2 can be unfolded or folded.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which shows the second embodiment of the instantdisclosure. The fixing member 21 and the connecting piece 3 are formedin single piece which is an adhesive thread. The adhesive thread is aplastic thread, which has a fixing member 21, a transverse rod 32extending from the fixing member 21, and a stopper rod 31 extending fromthe end of the transverse rod 32. The fixing portion 21 is adhered tothe inside surface 22 of the seamless single-piece canopy member 2 viaadhesive or a hot melting process. The transverse rod 32 and the stopperrod 31 penetrate the fixing hole 1411 to be transversely engaged withthe first rod 141. In this way, the second embodiment can achieve thesame effect as that of the first embodiment.

Please refer to FIG. 9, which is the third embodiment of the instantdisclosure. Like the first embodiment, the inside of the seamlesssingle-piece canopy member 2 is similarly provided with a plurality offixing members 21 which is adhered to the inside surface 22 of theseamless single-piece canopy member 2. The connecting piece 3 is abinder for penetrating the fixing member 21 and the fixing hole 1411 tobind them together. In this way, the third embodiment can achieve thesame effect as that of the previous two embodiments.

It should be noted that the above three embodiments are merely preferredmodes for carrying out the instant disclosure. Any embodiment in which aseamless single-piece canopy member 2 is provided on the foldableumbrella and the seamless single-piece canopy member 2 is connected tothe first rods 141 of the ribs 14 via the connecting pieces 3 can beconsidered as a modification equivalent to the instant disclosure.

The instant disclosure has advantageous features as follows.

The seamless single-piece canopy member 2 is disposed on the ribs 14 andconnected thereto by means of the connecting pieces 3. Since theseamless single-piece canopy member 2 is integrally formed without anyseams, it can protect against the penetration of rain reliably.

Further, the manufacturer can print arbitrary patterns on the externalsurface of the seamless single-piece canopy member 2, so that theproblem occurred in a canopy member that the patterns are not continuousdue to the seams can be overcome.

When the foldable umbrella is opened or folded, the connecting pieces 3are connected to the seamless single-piece canopy member 2 firmly, sothat the seamless single-piece canopy member 2 can be unfolded or foldedtogether with the ribs 14 reliably. The canopy member does not collapseloosely or become disordered. Thus, it is convenient for a user to useor fold.

While the instant disclosure has been described in terms of what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the instant disclosure needs not be limitedto the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to covervarious modifications and similar arrangements included within thespirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded withthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand similar structures.

1. A foldable umbrella having a seamless single-piece canopy member, comprising: a frame having a shaft, a runner, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the runner is slidably disposed on the shaft, wherein each rib has a first rod, a second rod, and a third rod, wherein the first rod has a fixing hole, wherein one end of the first rod is connected to the distal end of the shaft, wherein one end of the second rod is pivotally connected to the other end of the first rod, wherein the other end of the second rod is pivotally connected to one end of the third rod, wherein one end of each of the stretchers is connected to the runner and the other end connected to the first rods respectively; a seamless single-piece canopy member coveringly disposed on the ribs, wherein the seamless single-piece canopy member has an inside surface, an outside surface, and a plurality of fixing members bonded to the inside surface; and a plurality of connecting pieces respectively connecting the fixing members and the first rods through the fixing holes.
 2. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 1, wherein the fixing members that are arranged to correspond to the fixing holes of the ribs, the connecting pieces are connected to the fixing holes and the fixing members respectively.
 3. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 2, wherein each of the fixing members is a piece of cloth.
 4. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 3, wherein each of the connecting pieces is a thread that penetrates each of the fixing holes to be connected to each of the fixing members.
 5. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 1, wherein each of the fixing members and each of the connecting pieces are formed in single piece, each of the connecting pieces has an a transverse rod extending from the fixing member and a stopper rod extending from the end of the transverse rod, each of the fixing members is adhered to the inside surface of the seamless single-piece canopy member directly, the transverse rods and the stopper rods penetrate the fixing holes to be engaged with the ribs transversely.
 6. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 3, wherein each of the connecting pieces is a binder for penetrating the fixing hole and each of the fixing members so as to bind them together.
 7. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the shaft has a handle.
 8. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 1, wherein each of the fixing members is adhered to the inside surface of the seamless single-piece canopy member via adhesive or a hot melting process.
 9. A foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member, comprising: a frame having a shaft, a runner, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the runner is slidably disposed on the shaft, wherein each rib has a first rod, a second rod, and a third rod, wherein the first rod has a fixing hole, wherein the second rod is pivotally connected to the first rod and the third rod; a seamless single-piece canopy member coveringly disposed on the ribs, wherein the seamless single-piece canopy member has an inside surface, an outside surface, and a plurality of fixing members bonding to the inside surface; and a plurality of connecting pieces, respectively connecting to the fixing members and the first rods through the fixing holes.
 10. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 9, wherein the fixing members that are arranged to correspond to the fixing holes of the ribs, the connecting pieces are connected to the fixing holes and the fixing members respectively.
 11. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 10, wherein each of the fixing members is a piece of cloth.
 12. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 11, wherein each of the connecting pieces is a thread that penetrates each of the fixing holes to be connected to each of the fixing members.
 13. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 9, wherein each of the fixing members and each of the connecting pieces are formed in single piece, each of the connecting pieces has an a transverse rod extending from the fixing member and a stopper rod extending from the end of the transverse rod, each of the fixing members is adhered to the inside surface of the seamless single-piece canopy member directly, the transverse rods and the stopper rods penetrate the fixing holes to be engaged with the ribs transversely.
 14. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 11, wherein each of the connecting pieces is a binder for penetrating the fixing hole and each of the fixing members so as to bind them together.
 15. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 9, wherein the shaft has a handle.
 16. The foldable umbrella with seamless single-piece canopy member according to claim 9, wherein each of the fixing members is adhered to the inside surface of the seamless single-piece canopy member via adhesive or a hot melting process. 